I am too busy to make time. At least, that’s what I’ve been telling myself lately.

Every yogi I know hits a rut sooner or later.

No matter how gung-ho we feel in the beginning, how great that savasana feels, how beautiful the studio is or how wonderful the instructor, sooner or later life decides to get in the way.

For the last three months, I had a great home practice going. We’re talking every morning a 30 minute practice, and even on the weekends! (Gasp!)

Then one day this spring, my grandma was unexpectedly diagnosed with a rare form of bone marrow cancer. I flew home to be with her and my family, turning away from my precious routine in the process. I brought a travel mat with me, but couldn’t bring myself to practice. I’ve found that the times I’ve often needed yoga the most, are the timesI’vestruggled to “make time” for it.

I read every Top 10 List out there on how to break the rut. I planned to do yoga early in the morning, before the day’s distractions begin so I set the alarm. I even named it Yoga/Meditation on my iPhone to literally set an intention.

But when it goes off in the morning, my first thought is, man, I could really use another 30 minutes of sleep.Maybe just today I’ll hit snooze.

Natalie Winters aims to live this life by following the fullest and most expressive path possible. Whether through musical composition, theatre, dance, yoga, or meditation, she has felt a lifelong connection to creative self-expression. She hopes to continue to celebrate every moment. A recovering perfectionist, she finds solace in candles and bath salts. One day she will leave her East Coast desk job and open a yoga studio in California

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528513One Responsehttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.elephantjournal.com%2F2013%2F06%2Fthe-art-of-discipline-knowing-when-to-practice-and-when-to-hit-snooze-natalie-winters%2FThe+Art+of+Discipline%3A+Knowing+When+to+Practice+and+When+to+Hit+Snooze.+%7E+Natalie+Winters2013-06-29+11%3A01%3A03elephant+journalhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.elephantjournal.com%2F%3Fp%3D528513 to “The Art of Discipline: Knowing When to Practice and When to Hit Snooze. ~ Natalie Winters”

Oh Natalie, how wonderful that I'm not the only one!!
I'm in such a rut at the moment and I can't believe 6 weeks ago I was practising my little heart out.
A good, wise friend also told me to rest, to be and to get back on my mat when the time is right.
Thank you for a lovely article!!